From spa to insurance, some businesses stay open in blizzard

FALLS CHURCH, Va. (AP) — Sometimes, you just need a massage, even if you have to walk through knee-deep snow to get it.

While the vast majority of businesses in and around the nation's capital were shuttered, the Lorien Hotel spa in Alexandria remained open for hotel guests and any walk-ins who might make their way in.

Lead therapist Ludmila Milic said the spa had six appointments Saturday, when usually there would be 30. But business picked up in the afternoon.

"After lunch, people come in because there is nothing else to do," she said.

Milic and other spa workers who volunteered to work stayed in the hotel overnight so they could make it to work.

Stacy Reyan walked about a half mile to the spa when she learned that it would be open and able to keep her appointment.

"I started with only a facial, but I added a massage for my tender muscles," she said, after shoveling snow last night and again in the morning.

Matthew McCarthy, 29, who established his GEICO insurance office in Alexandria last month, stayed open to 7 p.m. Friday and was open Saturday as well. The storm brought a moratorium on sales for most new homeowners' policies, but McCarthy said he was busy selling other kinds of policies and answering questions for existing customers.

"I'm just really excited to be a first time business owner," said McCarthy, who lives just across the street from his office, making for an easy commute. "I just have a desire to be here for my customers." He had a pot of coffee ready to go for any customers who came through the door.

And in Old Town Alexandria, Murphy's Pub was doing a brisk business. General manager Kenny Mitchell said the pub has never closed for inclement weather in 40 years. Not only does the pub put up volunteer employees in a nearby hotel to ensure they can make it in to work, they do the same for a band to provide live entertainment.

Irish coffee and Irish stew were selling particularly well.

"It's like a snow party. Everybody's happy. People get cabin fever, you know?" Mitchell said.